Nils van der Poel's skate comeback has echoed over sports Sweden and the 24-year-old has lined up great results.
In today's World Cup in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, he finished third in the B group.
The time of 6.11,84 was just over a second faster than the Swedish record he set just a week ago.
Third place means that he advances to the A-group for next weekend's World Cup.
Norwegian Hallgeir Engebråten won in the time 6.09.21.
Nils van der Poel's recent results mean that he would be one of the favorites in the 10,000 meters in the distance world championships, which will be decided in February.
Right now, however, he is off the starting lists as the qualifying times are locked from last season due to the corona pandemic.
- I think I will have to go a 10,000-meter race at the WC but there is nothing that is guaranteed, he told SVT Sport earlier this week.
The reserve list for the World Cup will be based on the results of 5000 meters in the World Cup.
The A-group competes later this afternoon.
CLIP: Nils van der Poel on the odd plan: "To some extent foolhardy" (December 27):
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Nils van der Poel about the odd plan: "To some extent foolhardy" Photo: SVT / Bildbyrån.